Convertible TeePee Gym and Play Mat

ABSTRACT

A play apparatus, especially for an infant or toddler is provided that comprises a base member and a support assembly. The base member includes a floor portion and at least one wall portion. The support assembly is supported by the floor portion and comprises at least three elongated members. The support assembly defines an enclosable space, such as a pyramid. The play apparatus may be configured in an open condition or a closed condition. In the open condition, the floor portion and the wall portion of the base member are laid flat on the ground, such that an infant may be placed on the mat in a position to play or nap. The apparatus may be converted from the open condition to the closed condition by raising a distal end of the wall portion such that edge portions of the wall portion are brought into contact with two of the elongated members of the support assembly. When in the closed position, the infant or toddler may be afforded more privacy than when the play apparatus is in the open condition. In the closed position, the play apparatus may serve the purpose of a small tent.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a play apparatus primarilyfor use with an infant or a toddler, and more specifically to a teepeegym that may convert from an open condition to a closed condition andvice versa.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infant and toddler gyms generally include a play mat with a supportstructure placed thereon. The support structure may include interactivestimuli suspended therefrom, such as colorful shapes, reflectors, andstuffed toys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a play apparatus for an infant ortoddler. The play apparatus comprises a base member and a supportassembly. The base member comprises a cushion mat. The cushioned matcomprises a floor portion and a wall portion. In some embodiments, thebase member may include a second floor portion. The support assembly issupported by the floor portion. The support assembly comprises at leastthree elongated members. Each elongated member includes a base end and atop end. The base end of each of the elongated members engages with andis supported by the floor portion of the base member. The elongatedmembers, which extend upwards from the floor portion to the top end, aresecured to one another about the top ends, such as by a tie. Theelongated members may be straight or curved as desired. In a preferredembodiment, the support assembly generally defines the shape of athree-sided pyramid. In other embodiments, other shapes are possible,such as four-sided pyramids. Curved elongated members may alternativelybe used, so as to form a dome-shaped support member, for example. Assuch, reference to the play apparatus as a teepee gym is not intended tolimit the particular shape of the apparatus.

In some preferred embodiments, interactive stimulus, such as a mirror,small toys, bells, or the like is suspended from the top of the supportassembly. Interactive stimulus may be included in other portions of theplay apparatus as well.

The play apparatus may be configured in an open condition or a closedcondition. In the open condition, the floor portion and the wall portionof the base member are laid flat on the ground, floor, or other supportsurface. In a preferred embodiment, the floor portion and the wallportion are connected by way of a hinge portion connecting the floor andwall portions. The floor portion and the wall portion may alternately bea continuous structure that is foldable. As yet another alternative, thewall and floor portion may be separate components that may be laid nextto one another. In the open condition, an infant may be placed on themat in a position to play with the suspended stimuli. In the opencondition, the base member may also serve as a changing pad or sleepingpad.

The play apparatus may be converted from the open condition to theclosed condition by raising a distal end of the wall portion such thatedge portions of the wall portion are brought into contact with two ofthe elongated members of the support assembly. Preferably, the distalend of the wall portion includes a means for engaging and securing withthe elongated members. For example, the distal end of the wall portionmay include one half of a hook and loop assembly whereas the elongatedmembers include the corresponding half. Alternatively, the distal end ofthe wall portion may include magnets that may contact correspondingmagnets in the elongated members. Still other means for holding the wallportion with the elongated members of the support assembly may be used.

When in the closed position, the infant or toddler may be afforded moreprivacy than when the play apparatus is in the open condition. In theclosed position, the play apparatus may serve the purpose of a smalltent. In some embodiments, a mesh or other open-weave fabric may spansome of the elongated members to form a screen-type wall to allow forventilation and to enable the caregiver to view the child.

In an alternative embodiment, the base member may include a second wallportion. This second wall portion can be connected to the first wallportion such that when the first and second wall portions are laid flatwith the floor portion, a larger mat is provided. When closed, thesecond wall portion may fold over the first wall portion to form adouble thick wall or may wrap partially around the elongated members andform a second wall. The second wall portion can alternatively extendfrom a different edge of the floor portion such that the base memberextends in two directions. The second wall portion, like the first wallportion, can be raised to be secured with two extending members and forma second wall. It is further contemplated that the number of floorportions corresponds to the number of spaces between elongated memberssuch that when the floor portions are raised, a fully enclosed structureis formed.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings. For example, the discussion herein relates to an apparatusmainly for use with an infant or toddler. Different sizes of the fabricmat and support assembly can be utilized to accommodate larger children.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention showing the fabric mat in an open condition.

FIG. 2 is the perspective view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1showing the wall portion of the fabric mat being moved from an opencondition to a closed condition.

FIG. 3 is a perspective the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 rotatedclockwise approximately 60 degrees with the fabric mat in a closedcondition.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention with a fabric mat including a first floor portion and a secondfloor portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention isdiscussed. The play apparatus 10, which is shown in an open condition,includes a fabric mat 12, which comprises a floor portion 14 and a wallportion 16. Fabric mat 12 is preferably made of a soft durable material,such as cotton, polyester, rayon, or blends thereof. Supported by thefloor portion 14 is a support assembly 18 formed from three elongatedmembers 20, 22, and 24. Each elongated member 20, 22, and 24 includes abase end, 26, 28, and 30, respectively, and a top end 32, 34, and 36,respectively. Formed near the top of elongated members 20 and 22 areattachment members 44 and 46, which are discussed further below. Eachbase end 26, 28, and 30 engages with and is supported by the floorportion 14. The base ends 26, 28, and 30 may be secured with the floorportion 14 or simply allowed to rest on floor portion 14. In thisembodiment, the elongated members 20, 22, and 24 are generally straight,but in other embodiments, they may be curved. In this embodiment, thetop ends 32, 34, and 36 of elongated members 20, 22, and 24 are angledinwardly to intersect generally above the planar center of the floorportion 14. The top ends 32, 34, and 36 are secured to one another byway of a tie 38.

Suspended from the support assembly 18 are visual stimuli 40 for aninfant. These stimuli may include fanciful characters, reflectors,bells, or the like. The stimuli may include a motorized or wind up orotherwise movable element 42 that allows the stimuli to move about,similar to a mobile.

Connected to the floor portion 14 by way of a hinge 48 is wall portion6. In the open condition, the wall portion 16 lies flat on the ground orother support surface along with the floor portion 14. Preferably, thefloor portion 14 and wall portion 16 include fanciful graphics andillustrations. Fabric mat 12 is preferably lightly padded and may betreated with stain and water resistant materials.

The apparatus 10 may be converted from the open condition as shown inFIG. 1 to a closed position as shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 2, theconvertible feature of the present invention is described. Wall portion16 may be moved from the open condition to the closed condition byraising a distal end 50 thereof to meet with the top ends 32 and 34 ofthe elongated members 20 and 22. The wall portion 16 engaged attachmentmembers 44 and 46, which may be adapted to secure with the fabric of thewall portion. Although not shown, the wall portion 16 may includecorresponding attachment members to secure with attachment members 44and 46. In this embodiment, the material from which the fabric mat isformed is engageable with the attachment members 44 and 46.

Referring to FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 is shown in a closed condition.The perspective view has been rotated approximately 60 degrees clockwiseto show the apparatus 10. In the closed condition, wall portion 16 issecured with elongated members 20 (not visible) and 22. In thispreferred embodiment, a mesh or other open fabric screen 52 spans thespace between elongated members 20 and 24. In this closed condition, aninfant is afforded additional privacy or shielding from light. Althoughnot depicted, the wall portion 16 may include interactive stimuli, suchas reflective surfaces, toys, or the like. When in the closed position,such interactive stimuli may be utilized by the child as he or she looksat the wall.

An alternative embodiment is discussed with respect to FIG. 4. For themost part, the apparatus 110 is the same as apparatus 10. The playapparatus 110 includes a fabric mat 112, which comprises a floor portion114 and a wall portion 116. In addition, a second wall portion 117 isprovided. In the condition depicted, the second wall portion 117 isengaged with elongated members 122 and 124. Wall portion 116 is showntransitioning from the open condition to the closed condition. When thewall portion 116 is engaged with attachment members 144 and 146, theapparatus 110 is fully enclosed. This may provide the child with acomplete enclosure. Mesh wall 152 allows for ventilation, as well as aviewing means for the caregiver.

Although not shown, it is contemplated that the number of elongatedmembers can be more than three. For example, four elongated memberswould form a four-sided pyramid shape, and preferably be used with asquare floor portion. Moreover, curved elongated members can be used,such as to form a dome shape. It should further be understood that twoor more of the elongated members may be integral with one another.

It will he understood that the invention may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or centralcharacteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have beenillustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind withoutsignificantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scopeof protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

1. A play apparatus comprising: a base member, the base membercomprising a cushioned mat, the cushioned mat comprising a floor portionand a wall portion; and a support assembly supported by the floorportion, the support assembly comprising at least three elongatedmembers, each elongated member including a base end and a top end, thebase end of each elongated member engaged with a peripheral portion ofthe floor portion, the top ends of the elongated members operativelyconnected to one another; the play apparatus having an open conditionand a closed condition, the wall portion of the base ember adapted toengage and secure with at least one of the elongated members when theplay apparatus is in the closed condition, the wall portion of the basemember being substantially co-planar with the floor portion when theplay apparatus is in the open condition.
 2. The play apparatus of claim1, wherein the floor member and the wall member are connected by a hingeportion.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The play apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising an open screen member spanning a space between at least twoof the elongated members.
 5. The play apparatus of claim 1, wherein thebase member comprises a second wall portion.
 6. The play apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the second wall portion defines at least two edgeportions, each edge portion adapted to engage one of the elongatedmembers when the play apparatus is in the closed condition, the secondwall portion of the base member being substantially co-planar with thefloor portion when the play apparatus is in the open condition.
 7. Aplay apparatus comprising: a base member and a support assembly; thebase member comprising a floor portion and at least one wall portion,each of the floor portion and the at least one wall portion adapted tobe suitable as a play mat; the support assembly comprising at leastthree elongated support members, each elongated member defining a baseend and a top end, the base end of each of the elongated support membersupported by the floor portion, the top ends of the elongated membersoperatively secured with one another; the at least one wall portionmovable between an open condition, wherein the at least one wall portionis substantially co-planar with the floor portion, and a closedcondition, wherein the at least one wall portion engages at least one ofthe support members.
 8. The play apparatus of claim 7, wherein the floormember and the wall member are connected by a hinge portion.
 9. The playapparatus of claim 7, wherein the top ends of the elongated members aresecured to one another by a tie.
 10. The play apparatus of claim 7,wherein a stimulus is suspended from a upper portion of the supportassembly.
 11. The play apparatus of claim 7 further comprising an openscreen member spanning a space between at least two of the elongatedmembers.
 12. The play apparatus of claim 7, wherein the base membercomprises a second wall portion.
 13. The play apparatus of claim 12,wherein the second wall portion is movable between the open condition,wherein the second wall portion is substantially co-planar with thefloor portion, and the closed condition, wherein the second portionengages at least one of the support members.
 14. A play apparatusadapted to be convertible between an open condition and a closedcondition, the play apparatus comprising: a base member and a supportassembly; the base member comprising a floor portion and at least onewall portion each of the floor portion and the at least one wall portionadapted to be suitable as a play mat; the support assembly comprisingthree or more elongated members, each of the elongated members having atop end wherein the top ends of the elongated members are secured withone another, each of the elongated members further having a base endwherein the base ends of the elongated members are supported by thefloor portion; the support assembly further comprising an attachmentportion, the attachment portion securable with a portion of the at leastone wall portion; when in the open condition, the at least one wallportion is positioned substantially co-planar with the floor portion;when in the closed condition, the at least one wall portion engages atleast one of the elongated members and is positioned substantiallyvertically to the floor portion.
 15. The play apparatus of claim 14,wherein the floor member and the at least one wall member are connectedby a hinge portion.
 16. The play apparatus of claim 14, wherein astimulus is suspended from a upper portion of the support assembly. 17.The play apparatus of claim 14 further comprising an open screen memberspanning a space between at least two of the elongated members.
 18. Theplay apparatus of claim 14, wherein the base member comprises a secondwall portion.
 19. The play apparatus of claim 18, wherein the secondwall portion is movable between the open condition, wherein the secondwall portion is substantially co-planar with the floor portion, and theclosed condition, wherein the second portion engages at least one of thesupport members.
 20. The play apparatus of claim 1, wherein a stimulusis suspended from an upper portion of the support assembly.